The influence of Taliban has reached an alarming level in the beautiful and once peaceful valley of Swat as the fundamentalists occupying parts of the valley have started enforcing their morals on the local population. Despite a military operation in the district, a significant portion of the valley remains under Taliban’s control, particularly Kabal. Recently, the local Taliban, led by Mollana Fazlullah, have ordered the local people to follow the ‘Islamic code of appearance’ i.e. men growing beards and women wearing veils – those seen without following these are to be punished physically and beyond by the Taliban. In effect, Swat ha mostly been lost to the rule of fundamentalism.

The orders of Taliban regarding Islamic appearance also dictate that men must not shave their faces and wear a white cap on their heads, as per Islamic tradition in some Islamic countries. Barbers have also been threatened repeatedly not to shave men and not to dress the customer’s hair in western styles; only an ‘Islamic cut’ is allowed. Women, on the other hand, have been ordered to wear veils when going out. Failing to obey these rules results in flogging by Taliban who are roaming the district, except Mingora and a few other places, imposing their own laws by sheer force. Mollana Fazlullahhas even made his own Sharia (Islamic) court and recently has ‘summoned’ 43 people that he declared as ‘Wanted’. Many of these are ministers and/or activists of the Awami National Party (ANP), which has refused to accept the rule of Taliban in Pakhtoon-inhabited areas. Whether ANP succeeds in freeing Swat and other Pakhtoon areas from the shackles of Taliban remains uncertain.

But with things gone this far, it is not an assumption to regard Swat as an area lost to Taliban. People who have some sense of self-respect and also have the financial means to leave Swat are moving to other cities and the once beautiful valley, sometimes called the ‘Switzerland of Pakistan’ awaits a savior who may never show up.